January 06, 2018

Sweden: Measles outbreak also affects vaccinated

So far, eight people have been diagnosed with measles at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. Some of them have been fully vaccinated against the disease.

"Yes, single cases have been fully vaccinated, they have reported that they have received two syringes of vaccine," says Peter Ulleryd, Assistant Infection Surgeon in the Västra Götaland region. We are investigating how many of them infected. Everyone does not know how many syringes they have received.

It was December 10 that the first case of measles was found on infection at the Eastern Hospital. Since then, seven more cases have been found at Sahlgrenska, the latest on the other. The hospital is in staff mode to be ready for any new cases and is working to track those persons who may have been exposed to measles virus.

No clear answer

"Measles can be a bad disease, which can cause serious damage, even in a country like Sweden," said Peter Ulleryd.

The disease is very contagious and spread through the air. It can lead to complications like pneumonia and brain inflammation, which can cause permanent damage or, in the worst case scenario, lead to death.

The disease is most dangerous for unvaccinated infants, pregnant women, and those who have a severely impaired immune system. But nobody is safe, even those who have already had measles or are fully vaccinated. Contagion physician Peter Ulleryd explains with complicated biology.

"If you are fully vaccinated, it's very rare to get infected," he says. But this may be due, among other things, to the measles virus properties, which vary greatly between different strains and the amount of virus to be exposed to. Science has no clear answer here.

No big outbreaks

According to Peter Ulleryd, most born before 1960 have already had measles because it is so contagious. Those born between 1960 and 1980 may be vaccinated but from 1981 all children whose parents have chosen to vaccinate them have been vaccinated against measles.

"In Sweden we have a fantastic location where up to 98 percent of all children are fully vaccinated against measles. That's why we are not getting big outbreaks in Sweden," said Peter Ulleryd. It has been seen in countries where vaccination coverage is equally as good as in Sweden where some people contract measles though they are fully vaccinated, simply because almost everyone is.

Very contagious

Of the eight cases reported to Sahlgrenska so far, the majority have been infected in Sweden. Most cases have been linked to the very first case of measles. Since the incubation period is up to 18 days, infectious disease in the Västra Götaland region now estimates that the infection risk is over on January 11, with the cases they now know.

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So far, eight people have been diagnosed with measles at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. Some of them have been fully vaccinated against the disease.

"Yes, single cases have been fully vaccinated, they have reported that they have received two syringes of vaccine," says Peter Ulleryd, Assistant Infection Surgeon in the Västra Götaland region. We are investigating how many of them infected. Everyone does not know how many syringes they have received.

It was December 10 that the first case of measles was found on infection at the Eastern Hospital. Since then, seven more cases have been found at Sahlgrenska, the latest on the other. The hospital is in staff mode to be ready for any new cases and is working to track those persons who may have been exposed to measles virus.

No clear answer

"Measles can be a bad disease, which can cause serious damage, even in a country like Sweden," said Peter Ulleryd.

The disease is very contagious and spread through the air. It can lead to complications like pneumonia and brain inflammation, which can cause permanent damage or, in the worst case scenario, lead to death.

The disease is most dangerous for unvaccinated infants, pregnant women, and those who have a severely impaired immune system. But nobody is safe, even those who have already had measles or are fully vaccinated. Contagion physician Peter Ulleryd explains with complicated biology.

"If you are fully vaccinated, it's very rare to get infected," he says. But this may be due, among other things, to the measles virus properties, which vary greatly between different strains and the amount of virus to be exposed to. Science has no clear answer here.

No big outbreaks

According to Peter Ulleryd, most born before 1960 have already had measles because it is so contagious. Those born between 1960 and 1980 may be vaccinated but from 1981 all children whose parents have chosen to vaccinate them have been vaccinated against measles.

"In Sweden we have a fantastic location where up to 98 percent of all children are fully vaccinated against measles. That's why we are not getting big outbreaks in Sweden," said Peter Ulleryd. It has been seen in countries where vaccination coverage is equally as good as in Sweden where some people contract measles though they are fully vaccinated, simply because almost everyone is.

Very contagious

Of the eight cases reported to Sahlgrenska so far, the majority have been infected in Sweden. Most cases have been linked to the very first case of measles. Since the incubation period is up to 18 days, infectious disease in the Västra Götaland region now estimates that the infection risk is over on January 11, with the cases they now know.